‘Baba Amarnath here, Maa Sharda across LoC’: Rajnath Singh on PoK| Video

Rajnath Singh was referring to the Sharda Peeth, which has the ruins of a temple to Hindu goddess Saraswati, also known as Sharda. It is located close to the Kishen Ganga river in the Neelum valley, around 150 kilometres from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Published on: Jul 24, 2022, 15:04:31 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Aryan Prakash

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday made a fresh pitch for Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying that is a part of India and will continue to do so.

“A resolution was passed in Parliament on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). PoK is a part of Indian territory and will continue to do so. How is it possible that Baba Amarnath (Lord Shiva's form) is in India and Maa Sharda Shakti is across the Line of Control,” news agency ANI quoted the defence minister.

Singh was referring to the Sharda Peeth, which has the ruins of a temple to Hindu goddess Saraswati, also known as Sharda. It is located close to the Kishen Ganga river in the Neelum valley, around 150 kilometres from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. This site holds religious significance for the Kashmiri Pandits who have been demanding Kartarpur like corridor to offer prayers.

In 2018, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti had urged India and Pakistan to allow pilgrimage to the Sharda Peeth. “Kartarpur is a great example of how religion can bring people together instead of dividing them. It is a path envisioned by PDP founder Mufti Sb to end the turmoil in Kashmir. #SelfRule. After Kartarpur, Delhi and Pakistan must facilitate Sharda Peeth pilgrimage for Kashmiris,” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister had tweeted after India and Pakistan had laid the foundation stone for Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims.

In 2019, Mufti again reiterated the pitch for Sharda Peeth corridor, saying that opening the pilgrimage would ease tensions between India and Pakistan. Her statement came amid the hostilities between the two countries in wake of Balakot airstrikes and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.